Abstract
In recent years evidence has been accumulating on the concept that neuronal differentiation and growth are under the influence of both genetic and epigenetic factors. A great portion of the information available has derived from studies using the autonomic nervous system and from in vitro neural model systems. In this chapter I will review some of the observations which have contributed to the view of a pluropotential neuron. Two basic observations have prompted the reevaluation of basic developmental phenomena. One example is that portions of neural crest that normally provide sympathetic neurons may, under certain experimental conditions, provide parasympathetic neurons instead. The other observation is that neurons from a predominantly adrenergic sympathetic ganglion grown under certain tissue culture conditions form cholinergic synapses among themselves and on several types of target tissue in coculture. Finally, studies both in vivo and in vitro have shown that neuronal growth and differentiation are regulated by various epigenetic intrinsic factors such as hormones and neurohumors or substances secreted by the glial cells, the “glial factors.”
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© 1982 Plenum Press, New York
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Vernadakis, A. (1982). Epigenetic Factors in Neuronal Differentiation. In: Emde, R.N., Harmon, R.J. (eds) The Development of Attachment and Affiliative Systems. Topics in Developmental Psychobiology. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-4076-8_6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-4076-8_6
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